Velocipede



March 2 1926.

J. A. NOWAK ET'AL VELOCIPEDE Original Filed Jan. 24, 1925 INVENTORJOSEPH A. NOWAK \AglLlAM C. d NSON Patented Mar. 2,1926.

-UNITEDISTA TES PATENT GFFICE.

JQSEPI-I A. NOWAK AND WILLIA 1VI C. JOHNSON, OE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

VELOGIPEDE.

Application filed January 24, 1925, Serial No. 4,385. Renewed January6-, 1926.

To (1 ie/tom i! may c /Lccr/i: Be it known that J osnrii A. NowAn anddViLLiAM 'C. JoiiNsoN, citizens of the United.

States, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State ofMinnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inVelocipedes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to velocipedes for children, and. the main objectis to provide a simple, practical and attractive device, in which. aminiature horse or other animal figure is :tiltably mounted upon awheeled frame, and in which the animal figure is provided withoscillating pedal members which are operatively connected with theground wheels, as is also the figure itself, in such a manner that whenthe child sits on the figure and operates the pedals, he will propel thedevice forward (or backward) and will also impart a rocking or gallopingmotion to the figure. A'further object is to provide means of a novelnature for steering the velocipede as it is propelled over the ground orfloor. Further and more specific objects will be disclosed in the courseof the following specifications, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the veloclpede.

Figure 2 is a top or plan view of the device, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation as seen substantially on the irregularline 33 in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawing more particularly andv by reference characters,4 designates a main frame, the rear end of which is supported on a pairof drive wheels 5 which are connected by a shaft 6 having cranks 7, 8,and 9. The front end of the frame 4 is supported on wheels 10, securedon an axle 11 which is pivotally secured as at 12, to the frame, and theposition of this axle is controlled by links or rods 13, for the purposeof steering the vehicle. An intermediate cross member or platform 14connects the side members of the frame, and upon it is secured astandard 15, which carries the animal figure 16. The animal figure ishollowed out to receive the standard, and is pivotally secured to it, asat 17, so that the figure can be rocked or tilted from 17 as a fulcrum.A steering shaft 18 extends through a suitable slot in the figure, andis provided. with handle bars 7 19, of the type ordinarily employed onbicycles, The shaft 18 has a collar 20 which rides on a plate 21, whichis rigid in the figure, so that the handlebars 19 will oscillate withand always be in the same relative position with respect to the figure.The lower end of the shaft 18 is provided with a cross piece 22, theouter ends of which connect with the rear ends of. the rods 18.Suflicient play is provided at the ends of the rods 13 so that steeringmay be effected even when the parts 22,18, 20, and 19 are inovingup anddown in synchronism with the animal figure. The rocking or-gallopinmotion imparted to the animal figure by means .of a connecting rod 28which cone neets a rear part of the figure with the crank arm 9.

r A saddle 2 1 is arranged upon the figure to carry the-rider. Under theside portions of the saddle is arranged a pair of stirrup links orlevers 25. These links are pivoted at their upper ends to the body ofthe figure, as at 26, and are provided at their lower ends with footpedals or stirrups 27. The lower ends of the members 25 are alsoconnected, by connecting links 28, to the cranks 6 and 8, so that whenthe rider places his feet in the stirrups 27 and actuates them back andforth he will actuate the cranks 7 and 8 and thus propel the vehicleforward or backward as may be desired. It is found preferable to offsetthe crank 9 from the planes of the cranks 7 and 8 in such a manner thatwhen the latter are on dead centers the rider may, by a downward sittingpressure on the figure, cause the crank 9 to move or rotate and thusbring the cranks 7 and 8 off the dead center line.

It will be understood that by placing the pivot 26 further forward onthe figure, the rider will be able to impart the propelling action by amore direct or forward motion of the feet, while if the pivot is furtherrearward, it will be the rear thrust of the feet that will be mosteffective. It will also be understood that as the shaft 18 and levers 25are directly secured or connected with the figure, they will alwaysoperate the same with respect to the saddle and the rider, regardless ofthe continuously changing rocking position of the figure proper.

It is further understood that various modifications may be made in thegeneral design and structural details of the invention as hereinillustrated and described, providing, however, that such modificationscome within the spiritand scope of the appended claims.

I-[aving now therefore, fully shown and described our invention, what weclaim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:T

1. A velocipede consisting of a frame having front-- steering wheels andrear drive wheels, an animal figure tiltably mounted upon the frame andhaving a saddle for a rider. stirrup members pivotally secured to thefigure and arranged to be operated by a rider in said saddle, operativeconnection between said stirrup members and the drive wheels. and meansfor controlling the steering wheels, said means including handle memberscarried by the figure so as to tilt with it. i

2. A velocipede consisting of a frame having front steering wheels andrear drive wheels, an animal figure tiltably mounted upon the frame andhaving a saddle for a rider, stirrup members arranged in operatingpositions near the saddle, operative connections between the saidmembers and the drive wheels, means for rocking the figure as thevelocipede is propelled, a steering member carried by the forward partof the figure to oscillate with it as it rocks, and

operative connection between said steering member and the steeringwheels whereby the latter may be regulated by said steering member whenthe veloeipede is moving and the figure is rocking.

3.. In a. velocipede, a frame having an animal figure tiltably mountedthereon, steering wheels at the front end of the frame and drive wheelsat the rear end of the frame, a crank shaft connecting the drive wheels,means for rocking the figure, when the device moves forward or backward,stirrup members mounted for oscillatory movement upon the sides of thefigure so as to be 0 erable by a rider sitting on the figure, an linkconnections between the stirrup members and said crank shaft.

In testimony whereof We affix our signatures.

JOSEPH A. NQWAK. WILLIAM C. JOHNSON.

